Development boost for Batti

*Gets 326 metre long new bridge

*Solution to heavy traffic congestion in town

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

A 326 metre long new bridge is being built next to the ancient Kalladi Bridge (Lady Manning Bridge) in the Batticaloa town by the government in line with the infrastructure development activities carried out in the Batticaloa district.

Once constructed, the new bridge will take in the heavy traffic volume which the century old Lady Manning Bridge (Kallady bridge) is ill-equpped to cater to, easing the heavy traffic congestion in the Batticaloa town.

The government allocated Rs 1,700 million for the new bridge, which will have two traffic lanes. The old Kalladi Bridge was said to be the longest bridge in the country some time ago.

The 326 meter long Kalladi Bridge had been built during the time of the British using giant iron frames. The bridge was named Lady Manning Bridge.

After several decades the old narrow bridge was found to be insufficient to cater to the ever increasing traffic. Hence, it is common to see traffic congestion throughout the day since the vehicles are moving only in one direction at a time. Besides, the bridge, which is more than 100 years old is in a derilict state, Assistant Director of Planning at Batticaloa District Secretariat A Sudaharan said. Considering these, factors the government decided to construct a new wide bridge consisting two traffic lanes parallel to the old bridge. The new bridge will be commissioned by next January parallel to the Deyata Kirula exhibition 2013. Novel technology is used for the construction of the new bridge. “This is the first bridge which is constructed using the latest technology” Sudaharan added. According to him, the old historic bridge will not be removed but it will be preserved as a monument.